Opposition raises concern over what it describes as govt’s failure to distribute Hurricane Melissa donations

The Opposition is raising concerns over what it describes as the Government’s failure to distribute millions of dollars in Hurricane Melissa donations.

The concern follows the Auditor General’s report that, as of February, 88% of the funds remained uncommitted.

The report also indicated that only 1.8% of the over $1.4 billion in cash donations received following Hurricane Melissa had been spent.

Responding to the AG’s report, Government Senator Marlon Morgan noted that it did not contain any scandalous finding of loss and/or corruption and in many respects reaffirms the bureaucracy-related challenges that many Jamaicans are already aware of and have grown impatient with.

Morgan said the report underscores that it cannot be business as usual and affirms that the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NARRA) will go a far way in helping Jamaica efficiently and effectively utilize available funds in improving citizens’ quality of life.

In a statement today, Opposition Deputy Spokesperson on Productivity, Efficiency and Competitiveness, Senator Cleveland Tomlinson said it is unconscionable and scandalous that the Government sat on donated money while thousands of Jamaicans suffered.

Tomlinson also pointed to findings in the audit showing that over $138 million in donations received following Hurricane Beryl in 2024 remained idle and was never reported to the Ministry of Finance, as required under the law.

He is calling on the Government to provide full transparency by publishing a detailed expenditure plan outlining how the outstanding Hurricane Melissa funds will be allocated and distributed.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has sought to explain that the relatively low rate of cash expenditure reflected prudent financial management in light of the availability of almost $J400 million in donated building materials and sundries which were already supporting the Government directed roof repair programme.